Maturity

But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, [even] those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

I was at the recently concluded Lagos Economic Summit Group where issues where being deliberated on with regards to making Lagos the “Mega City” of Africa. Featured speakers included Dr.Liu Thai of Singapore and Enrique Penalosa, former Mayor of Bogota in Columbia. I couldn’t hide my excitement at the level of professionalism, insight and knowledge that was unveiled at the summit.

Apart from the fact that I had an interesting time meeting some state and national icons and a few other highly placed private professionals and listening to some of the most inspiring, encouraging and developmental jaw-jaw. I have no doubt in my mind that Lagos State led by such dynamism and vision would develop into a model megacity only if…………

Many people can argue that they have been to several summits within the state or country and have listened to taller recommendations and all what not. “What the government hasn’t done over the years”, they say, “why will it be now that they would do it?” While I don’t share their pessimism, neither do I foolishly think all that was recommended would be done altogether.

Albeit, I believe a good part of the recommendations would be upheld and implemented. Democracy has gotten to the point in Nigeria where it should begin to look like it was designed to be – A situation where public good is chosen over private interest regardless of whose horse is gored in the process. The governments of Nigerian states have gotten to the level now where the common good and development of the states they run are priority to them.

One recurrent decimal in all the postulations and recommendations is the willingness of the government to work in partnership with the Private Sector, civil societies and the academia to achieve the goal of turning Lagos into a model megacity by the year 2020. The government is less than 1% of the population of Nigerians and cannot be held totally responsible for the revamping of this system we run now in Nigeria.

We must grow beyond our selfish motives and desires. We must seek more than private gratification alone and move towards public and mass emancipation. Until we recognize and embrace the ideology that common wealth is wealth for all, we will keep battling poverty more ferociously than a any disease in the world (especially Africa) and still wouldn’t win.

We cannot continue to whine and pretend that we don’t know what is wrong with us as a people. We cannot keep making a mess and expecting other nations to clean it up for us. At the summit, different speakers from Angola, Singapore, Columbia etc. demonstrated to the delegates present how they took it upon themselves to come of age and clean up their mess by themselves.

If we choose to remain babies in Africa, we would never produce the fruit of development. It is not news that the production of offspring or fruit in marriage is a consenting role of adults and not babies. Let me list a few characteristics of babies that typify the way Nigerians and Africans at large think and behave.

1. Selfishness

Babies are naturally selfish. They cry, demand and get angry when they feel like regardless of how it’s impact on whoever is or isn’t taking care of them.

2. Fruitless (Unproductive)

Babies don’t have developed sexual organs and so cannot procreate. However, they have the potentials to because they have present the necessary organs to do so.

3. Dependence

Babies depend on their guardians for food, shelter, warmth, clothing, mobility, cleanliness etc. they can’t take care of even themselves not to talk of others.

4. Irresponsibility

Babies cannot exercise any form of responsibility. They defeacate and urinate anywhere when the urge comes. They even do it on themselves most of the time. The sad part is that they can’t clean up any mess or trouble they create. It has to be done by someone else.

5. Unable to delay gratification

They don’t understand the principle of saving. They want everything they can get now. They can’t delay gratification.

6. Consumers

Everything they see they move towards their mouths. They assume that any object they see or pick up must be food and so they try to gobble it.

7. Problem Seers

They only see the problems they never see the solutions. They cry and wail until some adult comes to solve their problems. They never take the initiative to do something about it.

8. Toothless

They are toothless and can’t eat meat. They only drink liquid. They lack the ability to tackle tough issues until they are solved (dissolved). If issues aren’t solved (dissolved) for them, they go hungry.

What we need in Lagos, Nigeria and Africa are matured citizens who will take it upon themselves to move the state bit by bit from where it is to where it should be.

Which are you? A BABY or AN ADULT

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